Wolf saw the longing in her blue eyes, eyes that were drowsy with desire. Every fiber of his being wanted to love her. With his thumb, he traced her parted lips, lips he wanted to ravish. “I love you,” he rasped, his heart pounding in time with the urgent throbbing of his need. Her hands skimmed his arms, shoulders and neck like a tantalizing breeze.
She framed his face with her hands. When she spoke, her voice was low and quavering. “I love you, Wolf. I trust you. I was so afraid about how I felt toward you.” She smiled a little. “I know your love can help me across whatever fears might be left.” Sarah felt the sting of tears and blinked them away. She felt the massive, potent power of his barely controlled body above her, felt a fine trembling shudder pass through him as she spoke those words.
Love. Wolf pressed his brow against Sarah’s. He tried to find the words, but couldn’t. Only her hands, moving across his body, brought him out of the turmoil within him. Finally he eased back enough to hold her shimmering gaze.
“I love you, Sarah. When I told you that last night, in the heat of battle, I meant it.”
“I was scared then, and I’m scared now,” Sarah quavered, “but in a different way.”
He nodded and closed his eyes. “That makes two of us.” When he opened his eyes again, he added, “I’m afraid that I’ll go too far too fast and scare the hell out of you, or make you push me away. And,” he added sadly, “I’m afraid I’ll see fear, see fear of me, come into your eyes…”
Whispering his name, Sarah eased upward, grasping his shoulders. Wolf had taken a terrible emotional beating in many ways, and as she pressed a kiss to his jaw, Sarah knew she could help him. She would welcome his advances, reassure him with herself, with her body and, most of all, with her heart. It was thrilling to discover that she could give Wolf back a huge piece of himself that had been crushed by the events in Peru.
“You can’t hurt me,” she whispered. “Just love me, Wolf. Please…I want you…”
Wolf nuzzled her cheek, found her mouth and gently trapped her against the bed as he claimed her. There was such lushness to her eager, exploring lips against his.
It took real courage to reach out and live life, Wolf realized, to love despite the possibility of rejection. As he drowned in the splendor of Sarah’s welcoming mouth and touch, Wolf knew he had to risk himself, and place his damaged hope once more on the line. As Sarah came willingly into his arms, her strong, loving body pressing urgently against his, Wolf surrendered to his heart as never before.
As he drew the flowery printed nightgown off Sarah and gazed down at her, Wolf transcended his own fear; perhaps it was Sarah’s fearless approach to wanting to love him. Wolf wasn’t sure, and in that golden, heated moment it no longer mattered.
Sarah closed her eyes as she felt Wolf’s strong hands caress her shoulder, her waist, and on down to outline the shape of her hips. There was such tenderness in his exploration of her that she felt herself unraveling. His touch was like sunlight skimming silently across the land. When he leaned over, his mouth capturing hers at the same moment that his hand caressed her breast, she moaned.
The world spun to a halt as Sarah drowned in the heat, the fire, of Wolf’s mouth, and when his lips settled on the peak of her breast she gave a small cry of pleasure. Her fingers kneaded his broad, damp shoulders as he drew her deep into his arms, pressing her hotly against him, his mouth bringing a new kind of fire that raced through her. The ache centered in her lower body, and as she moaned, Sarah lost herself in all the sensations of Wolf as a man.
She tasted the perspiration of his taut shoulder, felt him tremble as she caressed him intimately. Her boldness, her need to show just how much she loved him, broke through whatever barrier continued to hold him a prisoner of the past. As she lifted her lashes, she saw his burning gray eyes meet and hold her own as he covered her with his body.
The moments suspended. Sarah held her breath as she felt Wolf’s knee guide her thighs apart. His hands framed her face, and she clung to the hooded, heated look in his eyes, to the tension mirrored in his rugged features. There was still a thread of fear in Wolf’s eyes, and instinctively Sarah allowed her feminine heart to guide her as she arched upward to meet him, capture him, pull him deeply within herself.
She immediately felt Wolf’s fingers tighten around her face, and she not only heard, but felt, a deep animal growl come from within him as she enclosed and held him within her molten, silky confines. It was as if something snapped within Wolf as he arched and tensed within her, and Sarah smiled softly as she felt him surge forward, taking her, claiming her for the first time.
In those golden, spinning moments, moments that seemed so far removed from the real world, Sarah surrendered herself to Wolf in every possible way, for the first time in her life. As he slid his hand beneath her hips, giving back the same pleasure she was giving him, she understood what real love was all about. It was about sharing—giving, taking, allowing the fear to fall away in order to love fully. Whatever issues of trust she’d had also dissolved beneath the cherishing strength of his mouth, the worship of his hands across her body that made it sing like the most beautiful bird she’d ever heard. There was such beauty being shared, such care and love, that tears matted her lashes.
The lightninglike heat grew deep within Sarah as he moved with her, making her his own. The sudden current of release shot through her like a lush explosion, catching Sarah by surprise. Arching into Wolf’s arms, pressed against his length, absorbing his strength, she cried out and threw her head back as the waves of sensation overwhelmed her. The intense pleasure went on and on, and Sarah could only helplessly sponge up the wild, fiery feelings that Wolf prolonged for her.
As Sarah began to slide back into the molten fire afterward, she felt Wolf tense and grip her hard to him. In those moments, as she held him, her face pressed to his shoulder, Sarah willingly received Wolf’s gift of himself to her. All she was aware of was his damp, hot skin, his ragged breath against her face and neck, and his hands wrapped lovingly in the length of her blond hair.
Opening her eyes, she smiled up at Wolf. All the tension and fear had been drained away from him by her vessel of a body, by her love fearlessly reaching out to him. Extending a hand, Sarah gently caressed his darkly bearded cheek.
“I love you with my life,” she told him, her voice quavering.
Much later, they stirred in each other’s arms. The small night-light on the wall broke the hold of darkness in the bedroom as Sarah roused herself. She realized that Wolf was already awake, at her side, his hand resting against her as he studied her in the silence. There was such peace and serenity in Wolf’s face that Sarah was stunned by the change in him. She smiled sleepily up into Wolf’s rugged, shadowed features.
“I slept again,” she whispered, her hand moving across his chest, luxuriating in the soft, dark hair there.
“We both did,” Wolf murmured, running his hand slowly up and down the length of her strong spine. “I woke up first, though.” He tendered a slight smile to show her how much he loved her. Wolf caressed Sarah’s shoulder and arm, feeling like a thirsty sponge absorbing everything about Sarah. Earlier, she had been damp and slick against the hard planes of his body. Now her skin was like velvet beneath his touch.
“You were wonderful,” Sarah told him as she sat up facing him. The covers pooled around her hips, and she captured his hand. “We were wonderful.”
Wolf nodded, absorbing the shining luster in Sarah’s eyes as she smiled. She fed his soul. Reaching out, he sifted strands of her gold hair through his fingers. “You weren’t afraid like I was,” he told her. “You had the courage to go all the way. I knew I was holding back…”
Leaning forward, Sarah laughed softly and captured his mouth to let him know how much she loved him. Wolf’s response was instant and heated. As she reluctantly broke the kiss and gazed into his molten gray eyes, she whispered, “Maybe because we love each other so much, that helped us get past our own fears.”
He
gave her a lazy smile and eased her upward until she lay over him. Instantly he saw the change in her eyes and felt the heat of her stir the fires within him again. “I feel like life is going to start getting good again,” he confided. “For both of us, honey.”
Sarah delighted in her contact with Wolf. “We have the time, don’t we?”
Sarah leaned down and nuzzled Wolf’s cheek, then gave him a swift, hot kiss on the mouth before laying her head on his shoulder. “All the time in the world,” he said. He brought his arms around her. He wanted to discuss marriage, but it was too soon. Or was it?
“Wolf?”
“Hmmm?”
Sarah smiled tentatively and brushed his short, dark hair away from his furrowed brow. “Will you stay here until Summers goes to trial?”
Wolf stilled and held her serious look. “Sarah, I’m not the kind of man who does well at one-night stands or even living together.” He scowled and pushed his fear of rejection aside. “Loving you was a commitment,” he told her gravely. “I don’t want to stay just for Summers’s trial. I want what we have to be the start of a commitment that works toward marriage.”
His words were like a sweet dream flowing through her. Sarah swallowed against her tears. “I wasn’t sure, Wolf…. I don’t want a one-night stand, either. And I’d like you to come and live with me, if that’s what you want.” She saw his face become gentle with emotions, and it gave her the courage to dive headlong into what really lay in her heart.
“I know we haven’t known each other very long, and I know we need the time. With Summers going to jail, we’ll have it. I just need you to know how much I love you. It’s not a passing thing, Wolf. You opened yourself up and let me give you my trust. It was something I never thought I could do again, but you made it easy.” She leaned over and kissed him.
“I love the hell out of you, Sarah Thatcher,” Wolf whispered thickly, fitting his mouth against her parted lips. He loved her fiercely, for her goodness, her thoughtfulness toward others—and for the fact that she moaned and returned his kiss with all the womanly fire she possessed. He cupped her cheek and held her lustrous blue gaze. Her eyes were shining with love for him alone. “I’d like to move in here, to live with you.”
“Good…” Sarah sniffed and gave him a trembly smile.
Smiling softly, Wolf pressed a kiss to her salty, wet lips. So much had been taken away from each of them, and yet, as they held one another, he realized that despite their individual scars, together they achieved a wholeness that would give them a new lease on life.
Wolf eased Sarah into his arms and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his fingers. “We’ll have the time now,” he told her, “to grow and know each other. We’ve got some tough times ahead with the trial, but we’ll take that together.” His voice went deep with raw feeling. “When the time’s right, I want to marry you, Sarah. I want you to carry our children, if that’s what you want. We’re going to take life together, on our terms. You hear me?”
She did, and she closed her eyes as she uttered Wolf’s name. As his arms closed around her, Sarah knew, at last, that with love, anything was possible.
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Loner by Lindsay McKenna.
Excerpt from The Loner
A loner suffering from PTSD, former Marine Dakota Carson is wary of teaming up with the beautiful Deputy Shelby Wolfe. But when two convicts escape from prison, Shelby’s ability to track them is invaluable, and her healing touch is a balm to the wounded Dakota. Can old wounds heal before it’s too late? Read on for a sneak peek of THE LONER by Lindsay McKenna, coming July 2013 from Harlequin.
“He’s right about that,” Shelby muttered. “I want to track those two and land their asses back into federal prison like I did before.”
Dakota respected her decision. “I’m having a helluva time looking at your natural blond hair and grasping the fact you tracked them down.” Giving her an uneven grin, Dakota added, “That’s a backhanded compliment, Shel. Old dogs like me have to learn new tricks. Tracking isn’t a gender skill. I’m just too used to working with the men of my SEAL team. It just never occurred to me a woman could do it, too.”
Her shoulders slumped, the tension bleeding out of her. “Tomorrow, we need to start sniffing around, Dakota. I want to find them. My gut tells me they’re going to hole up in the Tetons.”
Nodding, he said, “Bingo. Welton hid in the mountains of Yellowstone. The last stolen car has put him in our vicinity. We’ll go see Cade tomorrow and start creating a mission plan to locate them.”
She saw the commitment in his eyes. “Are you really going to sleep outside every night?”
“Yes. It’s better this way.” For you. For me. He struggled and said, “I don’t like it, but I couldn’t live myself if I harmed you, Shel,” and he held her steady gaze. She was upset and concerned. Not for herself, but for him. His heart opened wide with feelings he’d never felt before. This woman had a SEAL backbone whether she knew it or not. She possessed the same fierce team spirit they did. He wanted to close the space between them and kiss her until she melted into him.
“Well,” she groused, trying to lighten the tension, “I’ll miss you.”
“Yeah?” It made him feel good for the first time in such a long time. She had the capacity to reach him in a place he thought had died when he was seventeen.
Shelby saw a slow, heated male smile touch the corners of his mouth. Recalling the scalding desire he’d sparked within her before, she felt herself respond powerfully to that glittering look in his eyes. Now, he was the wolf stalking her.
Don’t miss THE LONER by Lindsay McKenna, coming July 2013 from Harlequin.
USA TODAY Bestselling Author
LINDSAY McKENNA
A man at war with himself
In all her years as deputy sheriff, Shelby Kincaid never met a man as stubborn as Dakota Carson. Practically eaten by a grizzly bear and still that man insists on returning, alone, to his isolated cabin in the Tetons. Shelby’s not even sure why it ruffles her-but she suspects it has a lot to do with the instant, powerful connection she feels with Dakota. If only he’d let down his guard with her….
Ten years as a navy SEAL took its toll on Dakota’s body, his mind and his heart. Since being released, he’s endured months of painful physical therapy…and brutal nightmares. Dakota wants nothing more than to hide from the world, so why does Shelby’s gentle presence suddenly make him question his seclusion? But when Shelby’s life is threatened, Dakota knows his warrior spirit won’t hide any longer. He just hopes it’s not too late….
Be sure to connect with us at:
Harlequin.com/Newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin ebook. Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Subscribe to our newsletter: Harlequin.com/newsletters
Visit Harlequin.com
We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
Read our blog for all the latest news on our authors and books: HarlequinBlog.com
LINDSAY McKENNA
As a writer, Lindsay McKenna feels that telling a story is a way to share how she sees the world. Love is the greatest healer of all, and the books she creates are parables that underline this belief. Working with flower essences, another gentle healer, she devotes part of her life to the world of nature to help ease people’s suffering. She knows that the right words can heal and that creation of a story can be catalytic to a person’s life. And in some way she hopes that her books may educate and lift the reader in a positive manner. She can be reached at www.lindsaymckenna.com or www.medicinegarden.com.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-1499-9
Heart of the Wolf
Copyright © 1993 by Lindsay McKenna
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, th
e reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.Harlequin.com
Heart of the Wolf Page 21